Sakamoto Ryoma was a leader of the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Bakumatsu period in Japan.
At the time United States trying to force Japan out of its national isolation policy, he was a master swordsman and a disciple of the Hokushin Itto-ryu. With having a visionary that Japanese people must modernize, he was recruited into an anti-Tokugawa, pro-Emperor party. In 1864, as the Tokugawa shogunate started taking a hard line, Ryoma made a subsequent negotiation successful between Satsuma and Choshu. This alliance played a crucial role in Tokugawa Shogun resigning voluntarily and as a result bringing about the Meiji Restoration. Also he he is respected as one of pioners who modernized Japan for his established the first Japanese modern private navy and trading company, named Kaientai.
RyOma was assassinated at the age of 33 in Kyoto, not long before the Meiji Restoration took place, and the true assassin has never been proven in a court of law. He became famous even more after the death and being loved until now by Japanese people as a passinate leader and businessman who lived a life of full ups and downs.

Recommended Tsuka and Blade Lengths for
General IAIDO Practice

Height (cm)

150

155

160

165

170

175

180

185

190

195

195 +

Recom. Blade length (Shaku)

2.2

2.25

2.3

2.35

2.4

2.45

2.5

2.55

2.6

2.65

2.7

2.75

2.8

Recom. Blade length (cm)

66.6

68.2

69.6

71.2

72.7

74.2

75.7

77.3

78.8

80.3

81.8

83.3

84.9

Recom. Tsuka length (Sun)

7.5

7.5

8

8.5

8.5

8.5

9

9

9

9.5

9.5

9.5

10

Recom. Tsuka length (cm)

22.7

22.7

24.2

25.8

25.8

25.8

27.3

27.3

27.3

28.8

28.8

28.8

30.3

* Please note that this is a recommended
chart only. Please ask your Sensei for further advice.
In general, female practitioners are recommended to choose a blade length
0.05 Shaku shorter than men.

Needless to say that Sakamoto Ryoma is one of the most respected Samurai in Japanese history and his dramatic life is often adopted for novel, musical, theater and film. His favorite sword to carry with was Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki. It is said to be the Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki that he had with when he was attacked and killed at O-miya, and his Yoshiyuki blade is being preserved at the Kyoto National Museum. This Ryoma Koshirae sword is a reproduction of the Ryoma's Yoshiyuki to pay the tribute to the last Samurai hero.

Silver-plated copper Fuchi/Kashira features dragon and Menuki does horses, as his name, Ryoma, reads dragon and horse in Kanji letter. Angry waves, which recalls Ryoma's Kaientai, are motif of the Tsuba that is made of iron steel. A cotton Tsuka cord is bound over blackened Tsukasame. Saya is available among black matte finishKuroishime), black gloss finish(Kuroro) and brown matte finish(Chaishime). Cotton Sageo is also included.

A sand-cased, extra-reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy blade provides the superb balance for the dynamic air-slashing move. Hamon reproduces Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki's characteristic, Choji-like Hamon. Each parts are uncompromisingly hand-assembled by the Japanese sword craftsman, who is expert in making the genuine Japanese sword, Shinken.

The blade is available up to 2.45 shaku. Weight without Saya is approximately 800 gram(for 2.45 shaku). Proudly made in Japan.